Ricky Dimon
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There is just a 2-game NBA slate on Thursday, but it certainly packs a punch. It’s a doubleheader on TNT, starting with the Milwaukee Bucks hosting the Philadelphia 76ers before the Phoenix Suns pay a visit to the Los Angeles Lakers. The opener should be a fun one, as Milwaukee is favored to win the NBA title but could be challenged by Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference.
Here is my 76ers vs Bucks Same Game Parlay for the festivities, which will be televised starting at 7:30 pm ET on TNT. Also, be sure to check out our NBA picks for each of tonight’s matchup.
Bucks -6 (-110)
Damian Lillard to score 30+ points (+155)
Tyrese Maxey to make 4+ 3-pointers (+120)
Same Game Parlay odds: +881
Part of the value in a Same Game Parlay, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is some of the plan here, as Damian Lillard going off would obviously work well with a win and cover for the Bucks. At the same time, plays that aren’t correlated drive up the overall payout of the parlay. That is the case with backing Tyrese Maxey to drain a whole bunch of 3-pointers. But even if that happens, there is no reason why Milwaukee can’t take care of business. Let’s break down each of the 3 legs.
Milwaukee Bucks -6 over Philadelphia 76ers (-110)
It was a tale of 2 different offseasons for the Bucks and 76ers. All is well in Milwaukee, where Giannis Antetokounmpo just signed a 3-year contract extension and is also loving life because he has another all-star sidekick in Lillard. Yes, there was a head coaching change (Mike Budenholzer is out, Adrian Griffin is in), but that should not have any negative impact.
Meanwhile, there is plenty of turmoil in Philadelphia. James Harden wanted out, then he was ready to travel to Milwaukee for this game and then the team apparently told him not to come. Whatever the case, Harden won’t be playing on Thursday – and perhaps beyond. The 76ers are a formidable opponent even without Harden, but I like the Bucks to win and cover at home in what will be a raucous atmosphere to begin a highly-anticipated season. Dame, the Greek Freek and Khris Middleton will likely be too difficult to contain for the visitors.
Check out our full Philadelphia 76ers vs Milwaukee Bucks predictions
Damian Lillard to score 30+ points (+155)
We obviously don’t have any hard data to go by when it comes to Lillard in a Bucks uniform, so this is pretty much just a gut feeling. But you have to think that Lillard will want to put on a show in front of the home crowd for his Milwaukee debut – and his teammates will probably want the same. It’s worth noting that the 76ers were #5 in the NBA in points in the paint allowed last season, so Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez could find the sledding tough down low against Joel Embiid. Let’s back Lillard to light it up right away with his new team.
Tyrese Maxey to make 4+ 3-pointers (+120)
With Harden sidelined, there should be plenty of 3-pointers to go around for the rest of the Sixers’ backcourt. Also with Harden sidelined, Maxey can score a lot of points and the Bucks should still be able to win big. That’s why I’m not hesitating to throw this conflicting leg into the parlay. Maxey averaged more than 23 points per game in 4 contests against Milwaukee last season, so he likes this matchup. The Bucks were in the bottom half of the NBA in 3-point percentage defense in 2022-23 and near the very bottom of that statistic at home. All of this sets up nicely for Maxey to have a big night.
We also have a Phoenix Suns vs LA Lakers Same Game Parlay for tonight’s other matchup
